ATTENTION: Speed Reducer Requested for Carroll Street In Crown Heights

Council Member Letitia James has requested a speed reducer on Carroll Street between Nostrand Avenue and New York Avenue in partnership with the Crown Heights community.

The NYC Department of Transportations will conduct a comprehensive investigation of the proposed locations to evaluate the warrant and feasibility of a speed hump installation. We anticipate completion of the study within the next sixteen weeks. Please contact the Office of Council Member Letitia James at (718) 260-9191 if you have further questions.

ATTENTION: CLACC-C Cultural Summer Camp

The Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center Inc. (CLACC-C) is pleased to announce their 2013 full-time Cultural Summer Camp for boys and girls, ages 7-15 years old.

CLACC-C is offering the art of steel pan, costume design, stilt walking, poetry, nutrition, Caribbean folk dancing, and more.

The site of the camp will be based at Medgar Evers College Preparatory School at 1186 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225. More information is available at (718) 773-4052.

ATTENTION: Crown Heights Mediation Center Hosts FREE Mammography Screening; 1/23

WHEN: Wednesday, January 23, 2013

WHERE: Crown Heights Community Mediation Center

256 Kingston Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11213

All insurance plans and accepted. Co-payments and deductibles are waived. Women should be aged 40 or older, and have been without a mammogram in the past year. Please call (800) 564-6868 to make an appointment.

CM James Comments on Interfaith Medical Center Hospital Recently Announced Plans to Declare Bankruptcy If Funding Is Not Secured

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
 DECEMBER 3, 2012

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

Council Member Letitia James Comments on Interfaith Medical Center Hospital Recently Announced Plans to Declare Bankruptcy If Funding Is Not Secured 

(New York, NY)— On Sunday, December 2, 2012, officials representing Interfaith Medical Center announced plans for the hospital to declare bankruptcy if necessary funding is not secured. Interfaith Hospital, which provides service to the Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights communities, has experienced significant financial hardship in the past few years, and has depended heavily on New York State aid.

In January 2012, the Medicaid Re-design plan (Berger Commission report) laid-out a number of existing issues in Brooklyn hospitals, and placed the bulk of the blame on hospital boards and management. The report found hospital boards failed to properly evaluate financial and clinical performance, or set strategic goals. In response to the findings, Wyckoff Hospital, Interfaith Medical Center, and Brooklyn Hospital Center (three of the hospital identified as ‘vulnerable’ in the report) seeked to agree to terms that would initiate a merger. Interfaith Hospital has expressed their interest in reconfiguring organizational operations to address current issues. However, Interfaith was not able to establish a reconfiguration plan that allowed them to maintain control over their functioning and leadership, and officials are deeply concerned that a merger that effectively folds one hospital into another will lead to the closure of Interfaith and the loss of those health resources in the Central Brooklyn community.

Interfaith needs New York State to guarantee an estimated $20 million in what is called ‘debtor-in-possession financing’ to underwrite its operating costs during the reorganization. According to media reports, hospital officials have stated that the State Dormitory Authority, which holds $130 million of the hospital's debt, refused to provide the financing unless Interfaith would first sign an agreement to merge with Brooklyn Hospital.

“New York State needs to step up and secure the $20 million needed to guarantee another year of health services for Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights residents,” said Council Member Letitia James. “Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, I believe a merger that incorporates the vision of Interfaith can be established. It is imperative that we move towards that goal to save this comprehensive hospital, and the 1,600 jobs that would otherwise be eliminated.”

New York State requires vulnerable hospitals seeking to apply for public funding or merge to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the terms of the agreement.

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BK District Attorney Drops Charges Against Man Beaten By NYPD In Jewish Center

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
OCTOBER 22, 2012

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

Brooklyn District Attorney Dismisses Charges Against Ehud H. Halevi
Video Shows Homeless Man Was Beaten By Police Officers

(Brooklyn, NY)— On Monday, October 8, 2012, NYPD was contacted about a man who was sleeping in the lounge of the ALIYA Institute, a synagogue and outreach center, on East New York Avenue. The homeless man, Mr. Ehud H. Halevi, had permission to sleep in the center by the Director of ALIYA, Rabbi Moshe Feiglin. Video shows that two officers from the 71st Precinct approached Mr. Halevi and attempted to place him under arrest. In the process, Mr. Halevi appears to have been pepper-sprayed, and was repeatedly punched violently. Other officers later entered the center to subdue Mr. Halevi.

On October 15, 2012, Council Member Letitia James joined other elected officials in denouncing this incident of police brutality. Today, the Office of Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes announced that charges were dropped against Mr. Halevi.

"I applaud District Attorney Hynes for quickly reviewing the evidence of the case, and dismissing the charges against Mr. Halevi," said Council Member Letitia James.

Council Member Letitia James is a co-sponsor of the package of legislative bills known as the Community Safety Act that would address the stop-and-frisk policy, and appoint an independent Inspector General to oversee the NYPD.

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ATTENTION: Citizen's Cmte Hosts "Build A Greenhouse"; Crown Heights; 9/22

The Citizen's Committee of NYC will be hosting a 'Build A Greenhouse For Your Community Garden' workshop!

WHEN: Saturday, September 22, 2012

10:30AM- 3:30PM

WHERE: Westbrook Memorial Garden

Crown Heights

For more information, please contact (212) 822-9568.

CM JAMES COMMENTS ON NYPD DISCIPLINE OF OFFICERS USING HATEFUL LANGUAGE ON FACEBOOK

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
August 23, 2012

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES COMMENTS ON NYPD DISCIPLINE OF OFFICERS USING HATEFUL LANGUAGE ON FACEBOOK

New York, NY— In December 2011, Council Member Letitia James and colleagues expressed outrage at the offensive and disrespectful comments made by some individuals affiliated with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) on the social-networking website “Facebook”.

Commenters on the Facebook group entitled “No More West Indian Day Detail” were found referring to parade participants as “animals”, “savages”, and “filth”; and the parade overall as a “scheduled riot”. Today, the New York Daily News reported that 17 officers were disciplined for their remarks— with 4 officers facing departmental trials on misconduct charges, 6 officers facing command disciplines, and 7 officers receiving lower levels of punishment.

“These comments were deeply offensive, specifically to the elected officials who every year work with the NYPD to address safety concerns related to the West Indian Day Parade,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I commend the NYPD for addressing this unacceptable behavior.”

The 2011 West Indian American Day Parade saw a total of nine shooting victims, with four of those victims shot along the parade’s route. Those who lost their life include Denise Gay, 56, who was shot while sitting on a stoop with her daughter.

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ATTENTION: Outdoor Movie Night; 8/30; Jackie Robinson Playground

ATTENTION: RFP Released for Bedford-Atlantic Armory

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) are seeking proposals  from qualified developers for the ground lease, development, and operation of approximately 50,000 square feet of available space within the historic 23rd Regiment (also known as “Bedford-Atlantic”) Armory.

The Armory is located at 1322 Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Through this request for proposals (RFP), the EDC is seeking developers who:

(i) enhance the surrounding community’s access to the Drill Hall through potential neighborhood-serving uses,
(ii) cause minimal impact to DHS’s active operation within the Armory Head House,
(iii) ensure that future Drill Hall uses are community-serving,
(iv) create a financially feasible and economically viable project,
(v) complete necessary capital improvements, and
(vi) contemplate and preserve the historic character of the facility.

The EDC plans to select a qualified developer on the basis of factors stated in the RFP which include, but are not limited to: economic impact on New York City, experience of key staff identified in the proposal, the proposed project’s financial feasibility, demonstrated successful experience in performing services similar to those encompassed in the RFP, and the proposed lease terms.

Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from the EDC no later than 4:00pm on Friday, October 5, 2012. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to BedfordAtlanticArmory@nycedc.com.

The EDC will be holding an optional Info Session in September. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by email to BedfordAtlanticArmory@nycedc.com by Friday, September 7, 2012.

DATE: Wednesday, September 12, 2012
TIME: 10:00am
LOCATION: 1322 Bedford Avenue
Crown Heights, Brooklyn

To access the RFP, please follow this link:  http://www.nycedc.com/opportunity/bedford-atlantic-armory-rfp. MWBE Companies who have been certified with the New York City Small Business Services are strongly encouraged to apply.

ATTENTION: Mobile Mammography Available In Crown Heights; 6/13; CrH Mediation Center

Crown Heights residents are encouraged to take advantage of a FREE digital mammogram/ clinical breast exam at a mobile clinic!

It is important that women 40 years and older undergo annual mammograms as early detection of breast cancer can save lives!

Look for the Mobile van at: Crown Heights Community Mediation Center

WHERE: Crown Heights Community Mediation Center
256 Kingston Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213

WHEN: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
10AM- 5PM

AN APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY Call 1-877-628-9090 Eligibility Criteria: Women age 40 and older with a New York City mailing address, and no mammogram in the past 12 months.

ATTENTION: Crown Heights Community Mediation Center Hosts FREE Mobile Clinic for Housing Legal Assistance; 5/16

ATTENTION: LDCCH Hosts Home Buyer Workshop; 1/25; 7PM

The Local Development Corporation of Crown Heights (LDCCH)- in collaboration with Project Brooklyn Homeowners- will host a Free Interactive Home Buyer Workshop on January 25th, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Crown Heights.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 25th 2012
7:00PM to 9:00PM
WHERE: First Baptist Church of Crown Heights
450 Eastern Parkway, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11225

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU????
• Learn How to buy a home
• Learn what to look for in a home and the right questions to ask
• Learn how to qualify for a mortgage. We make sure all attendee’s fully understand the mortgage process from start to finish
• Learn what to do if they have credit challenges and the steps to repair their credit
• ON THE SPOT MORTGAGE PRE-QUALIFICATION
• FREE CREDIT REPORT AND CREDIT CONSULTATION
• Opportunity to preview homes from our inventory of 130 HOMES throughout the Brooklyn and Queens areas and speak to our team of Realtors that will be present at the work shop

To register, email Evantz Saint-Gerard at Evantz@yahoo.com or Yinery Martinez at LDCCH752@aol.com, or call 718-467-8800.

Elected Officials Speak Out Against Hateful Language By NYPD Officers Exposed On Facebook

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
December 6, 2011

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis at (212) 788-7081

Elected Officials Speak Out Against Hateful Language By NYPD Officers Exposed On Facebook
Outrage Follows Police Officers Found Making Disparaging Comments Concerning West Indian American Day Parade, Community

New York, NY— Individuals affiliated with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) have been found making offensive and disrespectful comments on the social networking website Facebook regarding the West Indian American Day Parade in Central Brooklyn, an annual multiday event that unfolds over the Labor Day weekend.

In the Facebook group, entitled “No More West Indian Day Detail”, posters were found referring to parade participants as “animals”, “savages”, and “filth”, and the parade overall as a “scheduled riot”. In fact, the language was so inflammatory that some posters sent out the warning that it could be exposed to the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau.

In early November 2011, Council Member Letitia James joined State Senator Eric Adams, Assembly Member Hakeem Jeffries, and Council Member Jumaane Williams to urge Mayor Bloomberg to appoint an independent commission to investigate corruption within the NYPD. This request followed a number of recent well-publicized scandals involving New York City police officers including ticket-fixing, evidence tampering, and drug-planting; as well as overall policies such as unlawful surveillance activity and discriminatory stop and frisk tactics.

“These comments are deeply bigoted, and suggest that these officers view their duty as some kind of war against the communities they have sworn to protect,” said Council Member Letitia James. “This attitude mars the integrity of the department and is reminiscent of a time before community policing was established as NYPD policy. When officers suggest ‘dropping a bomb’ on a community, I have to question not only their commitment to their duties, but the degree to which they value basic human life.”

“Such deeply offensive remarks don’t belong anywhere, anytime in our City,” said Comptroller John C. Liu. “The Officers who were responsible for these comments don’t represent the NYPD, but do reinforce concerns about biased policing. The NYPD needs to get the bottom of this.”

“The comments made by these police officers are disgraceful and need to be investigated immediately,” said Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito. “I know that these views do not represent the entirety of the police force, but unfortunately, this only serves to reinforce distrust of the police among communities of color.”

“I cannot say that today's report surprises me, based on the growing avalanche of these stories coming from every corner of New York City,” said Council Member Jumaane Williams. “Yet, Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly have maintained their deafening silence towards this issue. These comments come out in the wake of other concerning statements from NYPD officers, including a racially motivated arrest on Staten Island in April where an officer said he ‘fried another n-----’, as well as racist language captured in wiretaps during the ticket-fixing investigation in the Bronx.”

The 2011 West Indian American Day Parade saw a total of nine shooting victims, with four of those victims shot along the parade’s route. Those who lost their life include Denise Gay, 56, who was shot while sitting on a stoop with her daughter. Mayor Michael Bloomberg blamed the violence on gun-accessibility.

WHO: Council Member Letitia James
NYC Comptroller John Liu
Public Advocate Bill De Blasio (Representative Kirsten Foy)
Representative Yvette Clarke (Representative Latrice Walker)
Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito
Council Member Jumaane Williams
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
Council Member Robert Jackson
Council Member Brad Lander


WHEN: December 7, 2011
1:00 PM

WHERE: steps of City Hall

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ATTENTION: 2nd Annual Franklin Avenue Halloween Parade; 10/30

The 2nd Annual Franklin Avenue Halloween Parade welcomes the community!

WHEN: Sunday, October 30, 2011
3:00PM
WHERE: Walt Shamel Dean North Community Garden
1096-1099 Dean Street
Brooklyn, NY
(parade ends at Crow Hill Community Garden)

Pumpkin painting will be available following the parade. Please contact (917) 838-2421 for more information.

ATTENTION: CrH North House Tour; 10/1

The Crown Heights North Association is hosting their 5th Annual House Tour on Saturday, October 1, 2011.

The tour is self-guided and takes place rain or shine. This year's highlights include the homes of two gifted fine artists, three of Brooklyn's finest 19th century architects, and much more.

WHEN: Saturday, October 1, 2011
11:00AM- 4:00PM
(the kickoff ceremony and continental breakfast begins at 10:45AM)

The tour begins at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, on the corner of Brooklyn Avenue and St. John's Place. Tickets are available for only $20 (online) here, or $25 at the door. They can also be purchased at Barbara's Flowers (at 615 Nostrand Avenue) or Yanatiba (714 Washington Avenue). Please contact akavanagh@crownheightsnorth.org for more information.

Job Opportunity- Restaurant Positions Available in District

A few restaurant positions available in the district:

Romans Restaurant
Romans on DeKalb Avenue is seeking a server. Candidates much possess 2-3 years of serving experience, and have weekend availability. Benefits are available after three months of employment. Please see the following link for more information: [LINK]

Cellars Restaurant
Cellars restaurant is seeking an experienced cook. Candidates may drop their resume off at the 250 DeKalb Avenue location. [LINK]

Crown Heights Pizza Restaurant
A new pizza shop opening on Crown Heights seeks experienced pizza makers, pizzaiolos (?), line cooks, prep cooks, and dishwashers for full and part-time positions. Interested candidates should attend open-house/interviews from Monday-Friday (12noon -2PM). Location is at 781 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. [LINK]



Sharing of employment opportunities is not an endorsement of any business.

CM James Sponsors "Beautify and Unify" To Encourage CrH/PH Revitalization; 8/20

Council Member Letitia James invites the Crown Heights and Prospect Heights communities to "Beautify and Unify", sponsored by Council Member Letitia James, NYC Community Cleanup, the Crown Heights Mediation Center, The Prospect Heights Street Tree Task Force, and the Executive Director of IKOKO!

The event is Saturday August 20th, beginning 10:00am (participants are encouraged to meet at 9:45am) on the corner of Sterling Place and Nostrand Avenue.

The clean-up day will encourage and assist in the ongoing North Crown Heights revitalization, and include graffiti removal, store front cleaning, garbage removal and street tree care. NYC Community Clean Up will provide these services (with the exception of street tree care) at no cost to the merchants and residents. Prospect Heights Street Tree Task Force will handle tree care which will include soil aeration, mulching, and pruning. The Crown Heights Mediation Center conceived of the clean-up day as a way to support new and existing businesses along Nostrand Avenue.

Council Member James encourages store owners along Nostrand to contact the Brooklyn Solution Center Branch of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, which provide alternate sources of capital and business solutions. Also, we encourage new store owners to access NBAT, New York City business acceleration initiative.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jonathan Perez at the Office of Council Member Letitia James at 718-260-9191.

CM James, AM Camara Support Retention of NYPD Impact Zone CH-North

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
July 12, 2011

Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191 - aloomis@council.nyc.gov, and
Odellia Lucius at (718) 771-3105 - luciuso@assembly.state.ny.us

JOINT STATEMENT BY ASSEMBLYMAN KARIM CAMARA AND COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES ABOUT RETAINING THE NYPD IMPACT ZONE IN CROWN HEIGHTS NORTH:

“For the past year Crown Heights North has benefited greatly from being designated a NYPD Impact Zone. The law enforcement officers of the 77th precinct that patrol the neighborhood have done a stellar job in monitoring crime activity. As a result, criminal acts have noticeably decreased. The Impact Zone initiative is to be credited in part for helping to make Crown Heights a safer place to live and work.

Recently, the City's Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) approved the creation of a new historic district in Brooklyn called the Crown Heights North II Historic District. Borders of the new district include Brooklyn Avenue to the east and Bergen Street to the north, Nostrand Avenue to the west and Eastern Parkway to the south. The new district is adjacent to the 472-building historic district that the LPC designated in 2007 as well. In light of these historic districts now in place, the presence of an NYPD Impact Zone is more important than ever.

Also, as violent activity seems to decrease during the summer, now is not the time to reduce the number of cops on-duty in the area. We fear that it will lead to an up-tick in negligent behavior. With schools out for summer and fewer opportunities for our youth, we are concerned that the loss of the Impact Zone will precipitate a sharp decline back to former dangerous conditions. Please join the Crow Hill Community Association, the 77th Precinct, and other community stakeholders in preserving the NYPD Impact Zone initiative to keep our streets thriving.”

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ATTENTION: DOT To Install "No Standing Anytime" Signs in CrH

The Department of Transportation will install "No Standing Anytime" signs at Schenectady Avenue and Lincoln Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, following a department analysis.

ATTENTION: Crown Heights Parking Meter Installation

The Office of Council Member Letitia James has recently learned that in accordance with the New York City administrative code, an upcoming installation of parking meters will affect the 35th Council District.

Beginning May 2011, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC-DOT) will install single-space parking meters on both the east and west sides of Troy Avenue from Empire Boulevard to Crown Street, The meter rate will be $.25 per 20 minutes.

The NYC-DOT expects that inconvenience to motorists will be minimal; however, should you have any further questions, you are encouraged to contact the Brooklyn Borough Commissioner’s office at (718) 222-7259.